Fender brace



July 28, 1925. 1,547,334

H W. LEAVITT FENDER BRACE Filed. Aug. 1922 Patented July 28, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,547,334 PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY W. LEAVITT, 0F HANNIBAL, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO METAL PRODUCTS (30., OF DES MOINES, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF IOWA. I

FENDER BRACE.

Application filed August 2, 1922.. Serial No. 579,210.

such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use the same.

The wheel fenders of automobiles and motor vehicles generally have a tendency to sag at their outer edges, notwithstanding the fact that they are usually braced from below.

The present invention has for its primary object to bracingly support the outer side portions of the wheel fenders of automobiles and provides a brace which may be readily applied and which when in position extends over both fenders and grips opposite edge portions thereof, said brace being adjustable to adapt it for general use and which also serves as supporting means for a license tag.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent and suggest themselves as the nature of the invention is understood.

While the drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet different conditions and requirements, various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application,

Figure 1 is a front view of an automobile provided with a brace embodying the invention and applied to the front fenders,

Figure 2 is a top plan view showing the brace applied to the rear fenders of an automobile,

Figure 3 is a detail view of the brace, parts being broken away,

Figure 4 is a detail perspective of the outer jaw of a fender clamp constructed in accordance with my invention, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the outer end of the inner jaw of a fender clamp constructed in accordance with my invention.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The brace comprises opposed fender clamps and an adjustable connection joining said clamps. Each of the fender clamps comprises an outer jaw 1 and an inner jaw 2, said jaws being adapted to engage opposite edge portions of a fender. The jaws l and 2 are relatively adjustable to admit of adapting the clamp to the width of the fender. The jaws 1 and 2 are disposed at opposite ends of a member 3 which may consist of a bar or stout metal strap which is upwardly deflected at a middle point so as to clear the arch of the fender. The jaw 1 preferably consists of a part of the member 3 which is bent into the form of a hook so as to engage the outer edge portion of the fender. The jaw 2 is separate from the member 3 and has adjustable connection therewith, a bolt 4 serving as fastening means for securing the jaw 2 in the required adjusted position.

The adjustable connection comprises similar members 5, each consisting of a bar or stout metal strap. The members 5 have their inner end portions overlapped and provided with a plurality of openings 6 to receive a bolt or analogous fastening 7. The outer terminal portion of each of the members 5 is bent downwardly to form the jaw 2 and as shown is provided with a plurality of openings 8 to admit of adjustable connection of the parts 1 and 5. Openings 9 are formed in the members 5 to receive bolts or analogous fastenings 10 whereby a license tag or number plate 11 may be attached to the brace which may act in the capacity of a holder.

The numeral 12 designates the front wheel fenders and 13 the rear wheel fenders. These fenders are usually provided with marginal edge portions along their inner and outer edges which are utilized as engaging means for the jaws 1 and 2 of the fender clamps. The outer jaw 1 is engaged about the outer edge portion of a fender and the member 5 is turned at an angle to the member 3 to admit of the jaw 2 engaging under the inner edge portion of the fender, after which the member 5 is turned so as to aline with the member 3. This results in bringing the inner ends of the members 5 into overlapped engagement when a bolt or fastening 7 is passed through registering openings ti, thereby securing the members 5 and the brace in position. It will be understood that the fenders mutually brace each other in conjunction with the brace Which is applied thereto from above. The brace is ofisuchco-nstruction as to admit of its universal adaptation.

What is claimed is: A brace for fendershaving a clamp memher for each fender of a pair, each clamp member adjacent one end having means for;

connection to the outer edge portion of the fenders, separably connected bars, substantially vertically disposed bolts at the oppositeends of the clamp members, said bars at their outer ends each having an opening for engagement by said bolts, saidzbars being disposed below the clamp members and engageable with the inner edge portions of the fenders outwardly beyond said bolts, Whereby said bars When separated may be operated as leverson said bolts as axes during application and removal of the parts to fenders.

In testimony whereof I afl ix my signature 20 in presence of two Witnesses.

HARRY W. LEAVITT.

Witnesses:

Momus D. WILsoN, EARL H. CRAFT. 

